Check upcoming open days and book your place arrow
Subject Guides

Studying psychology & counselling degree guide

A degree in psychology & counselling is all about learning to understand the human mind and how it works. With the interest and understanding of mental health always increasing, psychology & counselling represents a really relevant and important degree area to study.

Eleanor Foulds
by Eleanor Foulds
Last Updated:
03 Nov 2022

Psychology is used in several industries, from fashion and music to HR and medicine, so a psychology & counselling degree can be applied to lots of different work areas, meaning as a graduate you’ll be very employable. If you’re someone who’s interested in how people think and want to explore that interest to a deeper level, then a degree in the subject of psychology & counselling may be the degree for you. 

Find psychology & counselling degrees

What do you need to get on a psychology & counselling degree?


The ranges of entry requirements for psychology & counselling are as follows:

  • UCAS points: 104 – 156
  • A-levels: A*A*A* – BCC
  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA – CCCCC (Advanced Highers: AAA)
  • BTEC Nationals: DDD – MMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 42 – 30

Most psychology & counselling courses will also ask for an A-level (or equivalent) in a science subject.

Read more about psychology & counselling entry requirements.  

Find out how to apply to uni through UCAS.  

Learn how to write a winning personal statement.  

What psychology & counselling degrees can you study?


Degrees in psychology & counselling include:

  • BSc Psychology
  • BSc Cognitive Science
  • BA Psychology and Behavioural Sciences

Learn about the different types of undergraduate courses.  

What topics does a psychology & counselling degree cover?


Common modules for psychology & counselling include:

  • Social psychology
  • Research methods in psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Counselling techniques
  • Cognitive processes
  • Issues in personality and individual differences
  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Behavioural psychology

“During their degree, students will cover the full curriculum set out by the British Psychological Society (BPS). In the first year this will include modules such as the science of psychology, thinking psychologically, the psychology of social and individual wellbeing, individual differences, empirical studies, statistics and research methods. Students will also have the option to study modules such as attractiveness and classic studies in psychology.” – Sarah Kirby, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Southampton.

What do you learn studying a psychology & counselling degree?


Studying a psychology & counselling degree will help you gain industry-specific skills like:

  • Understanding of the human mind 
  • Ability to set up and conduct psychological experiments  
  • Scientific research methods 
  • Knowledge of personality types 
  • Counselling techniques  

More general, transferable skills you’ll pick up include:

  • Critical thinking
  • Innovation
  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Research
  • Attention-to-detail
  • Working in groups
  • Data management and analysis
  • Report-writing
  • Analysing trends
  • Independent thinking
  • Independent working
  • Data handling
  • Observation and analysis

“As well as learning about psychological theories, research methods and findings, a degree in psychology will provide you with a range of subject-specific knowledge and skills, such as critical thinking, problem analysis, problem-solving skills, computing skills, statistical analysis (using SPSS) and interpretation. This will enable you to learn how scientists identify scientific problems and try to answer them, how to think critically about how psychological research is presented in the media and elsewhere and also how to apply psychological theories and research to everyday life.” – Sarah Kirby, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Southampton 

What professional accreditations can you get with a psychology & counselling degree?


Psychology & counselling courses may be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), meaning graduates may be eligible to become a member of the BPS on completion of their degree.

What can you do with a psychology & counselling degree?


A psychology & counselling degree could lead to work in lots of different industries from healthcare to business or marketing. Roles could include:

Check out our careers guides here.  

Where to study psychology & counselling?

Check the latest ranking of unis offering psychology & counselling courses by the Complete University Guide.

How long is a psychology & counselling degree?

A psychology & counselling degree usually takes three years to study. However, some unis will give the option of a foundation year or placement year in industry which will increase the course to four years.

How will you be assessed?


Psychology & counselling courses usually involve assessment through:

  • Exams 
  • Coursework 
  • Case studies  
  • Lab/research projects 
  • Presentations 
  • Dissertation  

What are the postgraduate opportunities?


Your options for further study include:

  • MSc Social Psychology
  • MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • DClinPsych Clinical Psychology
  • MA Advanced Counselling Theory and Research

What alternatives are there to a psychology & counselling degree?


Not sure if a psychology & counselling degree is right for you? Check out these related subjects:

Neuroscience

Criminology

Social work

Find psychology & counselling degrees